WORSHIPLIFE INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 INTRODUCTION A.W. Tozer writes in his book Whatever Happened to Worship, "Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died on the cross, and rose from the grave to make worshippers out of rebels!" Tippit, Sammy. Worthy of Worship (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), p. 8. God the Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit transforms us from being rebels (dead to God) to being worshippers (alive to God). Worship is the response of God s people to God s love. We are committed to following the teaching of God s Word concerning the practice of worship and the function worship leaders in the church. Of all activities that we participate in now, worship will remain for all eternity. Therefore, worship is the highest priority of the church. It is my perception that all ministry activities (evangelism, counseling, teaching, prayer, church planting) are born out of love for God and are acts of worship.

2 FOUNDATIONS FOR WORSHIP The Love of God John, the apostle of love writes 1 John 4:9 10, 19 (NKJV) 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. In Jeremiah the prophet writes, Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV) 3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Responding to love: Richard Foster describes worship as "our responding to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father." Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1978), p All of us in some way have had our lives touched by the love of God. It is this love that compels us to become worshippers. The Grace of God In Ephesians Paul writes, Ephesians 2:4 7 (NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. What is the Grace of God? Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defines grace as the divine influence upon the heart and it's reflection in the life. From Strong's Concordance number 5458 in the Greek section.

3 The divine influence is God's powerful Presence at work in our lives to transform us, rescue us, deliver us and save us. It's reflection in our lives is our own unique response or "expression" of worship. Paul writes that this inspires worship Romans 5:1 2 (NKJV) 5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Because of God s grace, every person in Christ is free to rejoice it s already in them. Therefore, I don t need to be a cheer leader to get them excited about God, I don t need to make them feel guilty for not being worshipful, I don t need to manipulate them into worship all I need to do is provide the opportunity to worship and give people permission to express their love for God and then get out of the way so God can have His time with His people. The Purpose of God Peter writes, 1 Peter 2:9 10 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. We are created to worship God. It s our purpose in life to give glory to God Revelation 4:11 (KJV 1900) 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. David says it like this Psalm 95:6 7 (KJV 1900) 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, It s not my job to help people become worshippers. God has already made them worshippers at the point of salvation. It s my job to teach them who they are in Christ so they can live in a manner that is consistent with someone who is a worshipper. Our Focus As Worship Leaders

4 The great commission commands us to make disciples of all people groups. This occurs as we simply teach people to obey all that Jesus commanded us to do in the Word of God. It is through the process of obeying God s Word that we find our place in the Body of Christ. The goal is not education, but transformation because the purpose of the Church is not to be an educational institution but to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the lost. Paul refers to the believer as an ambassador of Good News. As ambassador's of Good News, our work is to be agents of healing, inviting people to relationship with God and helping them discover their true sense of purpose as worshippers. We preach God s Word through the power of the Spirit to bring the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus to those who are separated from the Creator which when believed results in a changed life, thus witnessing the transformation of rebels into worshippers. NOTE: I did not mention music or musicianship because the primary focus of a worship leader is not musical, but pastoral

5 SCRIPTURAL TEACHINGS ON WORSHIP Worship Is For God Although I believe that the goal of the church is to win the lost, Sunday morning celebration is a time for believers to corporately thank Jesus for what He has done throughout the week. It is not a time to focus on entertaining or attracting non-believers. However, there is something extremely contagious about a group of people who gather together to worship God where God's real presence is experienced. There is something extremely contagious about a group of people who are excited about the life they have received in Jesus. There is something attractive about a group of people who lift up Jesus in word and deed. Mark 12:29 30 (NKJV) 29 Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. John 4:23 (NKJV) 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Worship Is Through Jesus Through Jesus our debt's are canceled and our lives restored. We not only have access to God, but He has access to us. By the blood of the Lamb we are made acceptable to Him, holy in His sight. 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV) 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 (NKJV) 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) 15 Therefore by Him (Jesus) let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 10:19 22 (NKJV) 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil,

6 that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Worship Is By The Spirit All worship by very nature begins with the Spirit. No one can acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus apart from the work of the Spirit. Many people talk about offering up strange fire or fleshly worship. My perception is that there is only one kind of worship and that is holy worship anointed and inspired by the Spirit of God. Anything else is merely false religion or witchcraft. Philippians 3:3 (NKJV) 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, John 4:24 (NKJV) 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Romans 8:15 (NKJV) 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. Worship Is A Response To The Love And Power Of God None of us were ever looking for Him. He was and is the one who pursues us. He is the Warrior King who comes and rescues us out of slavery to Satan. In the words of the great theologian, Bob Dylan, "Lord, You've done everything for me what can I do for you?" Dylan, Bob. Slow Train Coming (Los Angeles: Columbia Records) 1 John 4:19 (NKJV) 19 We love Him because He first loved us. Here is a song written in response to God s Power Exodus 15:1 (NKJV) 15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! Psalm 13:6 (NKJV) 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Worship Is A Lifestyle

7 Worship encompasses the whole of life. We worship God as we love our families. We worship God as we feed the poor. We worship God as we sing songs of worship. Any act of love that we do in response to God loving us is worship. When James talks about true religion, He is talking about a life given to the worship of God. Romans 12:1 (NKJV) 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 1 Corinthians 6:19 20 (NKJV) 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God s. Worship Is A Participatory Response Worship involves the total person. Let's examine the following words and imagine what these words might look like in real life. All definitions came from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. HEBREW WORDS FOR WORSHIP o Halal (Haw-lal) Hebrew: To be boastful or make a noise; to brag about, to magnify; to be clamorously foolish; to praise. The root word of Hallelujah. o Yadah (Yaw-dah) Hebrew: To throw your hand; worship with an extended hand. Originally associated with gestures that accompany praise. o Todah (To-daw) Hebrew: Thanksgiving, praise, thank offering, hymns of thanksgiving, sacrifices of thanksgiving, throwing out your hands to God with an attitude of thanksgiving for God's promise of victory. o Zamar (Zaw-mar) Hebrew: To make music (in praise to God); to touch the strings; to strike chords; to make harmony; praise, praise in song, sing praises, to chant. The word tocar in Spanish is the word used for touch. It carries with it the idea of a musician strumming the strings of an instrument. I learned this from a Spanish Translation of the song Hold Me Lord. The translation reads, "Hold me Lord in Your arms, Fill me Lord with Your Spirit, Strum my heart with Your love." o Shachah (Shaw-khaw) Hebrew: To bow down, do homage, be down, to prostrate. o Segid (Seg-eed) Hebrew: Pay homage to, bend down, bow, stoop low. o Samach (Saw-makh) Hebrew: To be glad, happy, rejoice, take pleasure. o Siys (Sece) Hebrew: To be bright, (to leap up; leap for; to be extremely joyful): rejoice, rejoice greatly, make mirth. o Tehillah (The-hil-law ) Hebrew: praise, song of praise

8 o Barak (Baw-rak ) Hebrew: to kneel, to bless God (as an act of adoration), praise, thank o Shabach (Shaw-back ) Hebrew: to address in a loud voice, to shout, to commend, to glory, to praise in triumph GREEK WORDS FOR WORSHIP o Proskuneo (Pros-koo-neh-O) Greek: Most prevalent New Testament word for worship: to turn toward and kiss or come close to and kiss: to reverence, worship, to prostrate oneself, adore on one's knees (picture a young man on one knee proposing to his wife to be). o Sebomai (seb -om-ahee) Greek: to revere, to adore, to worship o Sebazomai (seb-ad zom-ahee) Greek: to revere, to be in awe by one s own definition of what deserves reverence, to stand in awe of, to worship o Latreuo (lat-ryoo -o) Greek: to minister to God, to serve, to perform services o Eusebeo (yoo-seb-eh -o) Greek: to worship, to respect, to act reverently towards God o Agalliao (Ag-al-lee-ah-o) Greek: To make glorious, exalt (elevate by praise); rejoice greatly; the outward demonstration of joy and pride and the exultation experienced in public and private worship; shouting for joy; attitudes of thankful joy before God.

9 DEFINITIONS OF WORSHIP Meriam Webster defines worship as worthiness, repute, respect, reverence paid to a divine being. It can be literally defined as worth-ship. I have listed below some selected quotes on worship. As you work through your own thoughts on worship, please consider what others have written on the subject. True worship does not originate with the need of man but with the worthiness of God. Thus, true worship does not originate with man. It originates with God. Worship is the result of the grace of God being applied to the heart of man; it flows from a heart that has been graced by God. The theme song for the true worshiper becomes, 'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found.' I did not search so far and so wide that I found Him. I did not become so good that I could worship Him. He found me and graced me. Freely He forgave me, and freely I worship and love Him. It is not my style of worship nor my service for Him that makes me a true worshiper. It is His amazing grace. "Worthy of Worship," Sammy Tippit Ibid.,p. 14. Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died on the cross, and rose from the grave to make worshipers out of rebels! "Whatever Happened to Worship," A.W. Tozer Tippit, Sammy. Worthy of Worship (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989), p. 8. To worship is to experience reality, to touch Life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. It is a breaking into the Shekinah of God, or better yet, being invaded by the Shekinah of God. "The Celebration of Discipline," Richard Foster Ibid. p To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God. "The Church and it's Teaching Today," William Temple (London: Macmillan, 1940), p. 15. All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of His own Spirit, which is neither limited to places, times, or persons: for though we be to worship Him always, in that we are to fear before Him; yet as to the outward signification thereof in prayers, praises and preaching, we ought not to do it where and when we will, but where and when we are moved thereunto by the secret inspiration of His Spirit in our hearts.

10 The Chief Principles of the Christian religion, As professed by the people called Quakers" Bettenson, Henry, ed. Documents of the Christian Church(London: Oxford University Press, 1963), p The original words for worship in our Bible speak of an attitude being expressed with action. They infer depth of feeling, closeness of partners, and a covenant relationship. Worship is communicated affection between man and God. It involves both motion and emotion, but true worship is far deeper than either of these, and merely uses them as a channel of release for the depth of love and adoration that generates in the heart of the believer who is drawn into the presence of a loving God. "Let Us Worship," Judson Cornwall (Plainfield, New Jersey: Bridge Publishing, Inc., 1983), p. 53. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever. "Westminister Shorter Catechism" Liesch, Barry. People in the Presence of God (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988), p. 45. Everybody worships. Whether it is a hero, possessions, success, pleasure, a political cause, a carved idol or oneself, the way we live and behave makes evident the things we love and give ourselves to. It is in our very nature to worship, and that inner drive is God-given; the disaster is that as part of a fallen race, we have replaced the object of our worship. To be converted to faith in Jesus Christ is to return to the worship of the true God, and to dethrone all rivals to His authority. The very heart of worship is the giving, not only of our talents and goods, but of our very selves. "Learning to Worship as a Way of Life," Graham Kendrick (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1984), p.24. The spring of worship in Revelation rests on two controlling thoughts: (1) we worship God for He alone is holy; and (2) we worship God and the Lamb, for they alone are worthy of our worship. For God, holiness forms the controlling concept. He cannot violate His own character. He was, is, and will always be holy (4:8). For us, God's worthiness is the controlling concept. We need a deserving Object for worship, or we lose our sense of direction and our worship lacks integrity. God's holiness determines His action. His worthiness makes possible the integrity of our response. These twin pillars make worship work. "People in the Presence of God," Barry Liesch Ibid. p Worship is loving God in each other's presence and loving each other in God's presence. Ken Blue This quote came from a sermon that Ken Blue preached on worship in 1993.

11 Prayer is the human response to the perpetual outpouring of love by which God siege to every soul. When our reply to God is most direct of all, it is called adoration. Adoration is the spontaneous yearning of the heart to worship, honor, magnify, and bless God. "Prayer - Finding the Heart's True Home," Richard Foster (San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1992), p. 81. Everything begins with worship. Everything born of God goes through a very natural process: worship, conception, gestation, travail and birth. So always begin with worship. It's in the place of thanksgiving and praise that God conceives within us His mind and heart for our city. "Taking Our Cities for God," John Dawson (Lake Mary, Florida: Creation House, 1989), p Alive with supernatural music and vibrant with the sights and sounds of pure and total devotion, heaven's preoccupation has always been and ever will be the greatness and glory of the living God. When His kingdom comes and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven, it will begin with an invasion of worship heaven's highest activity. "Public Praise," Graham Kendrick (Altamonte Springs, Florida: Creation House, 1992), Corporate Worship is prayer set to music. Let It Rise: A Manual For Worship, Holland Davis (Alachus, Florida: Bridge Logos, 2009), p. 2

12 WORSHIP VALUES Values can be simply defined as the qualities or principles that are important to you. Our theology forms our values. What we believe about God will determine what we consider important and non-negotiable. Values determine how you express worship. They are not right or wrong, but they will define who you are as a worshipping community. Worship Is Biblical God instructed Israel to incorporate the Word of God into their lives Deuteronomy 6:4 9 (NKJV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Paul instructed Timothy of the importance of God s Word 2 Timothy 3:16 17 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Bible tells us who we worship GOD John 4:24 (NKJV) 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. The Bible tells us how we are to worship Psalm 138:1 2 (NKJV) 1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Psalm 150:3 6 (NKJV) 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

13 The Bible tells us when we are to worship 1 Thessalonians 5:16 18 (NKJV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I value the Word of God and therefore to worship Biblically is to measure our worship based on what we read in scripture. Does our worship reflect what we see in scripture? How would you feel if someone knelt in worship? How would you feel if they danced? How would you feel if they lifted their hands or shouted? In Calvary Chapel we do not allow any expression of worship that draws attention away from God and to the individual because our attention is to be totally focused on the Lord. There are some who believe this distinctive is at odds with scripture. I disagree. I believe you can do everything there is in scripture in such a way that all the attention goes to Jesus and not to the people by creating a culture that provides a way for people to express themselves in worship. Worship Is Conversational Jesus said John 10:27 (NKJV) 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Moses talked to God like a friend Exodus 33:11 (NKJV) 11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle. The ultimate goal of a time of worship is where the people are totally engaged in conversation with God. I define worship as our prayers set to music. That means picking songs the people can sing and that express the work that the Spirit is doing in a church body. Not interrupting the flow of worship with a lot of talking. Keeping the focus completely on the Lord. Giving time for people to simply listen to the Lord. In Psalms those times are marked by the word Selah which refers to a musical interlude that gives people time to reflect. Consequently, I don t like the kind of worship leading where you are simply watching someone have an experience with God. They may be singing spontaneously thinking they re bringing the Holy Spirit on the place. A lot of Pentecostal and Charismatic worship under the banner of Intercessory or prophetic worship is like that. They re trying to do something to you, not facilitate conversation with God.

14 Worship Is Relational Paul gives us a relational picture of the Body of Christ and how we are to function together Romans 12:4 8 (NKJV) 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. One person defines worship as loving God in each other s presence and loving each other in God s Presence. Worship isn t done in a vacuum. It is directed TO someone and it is done WITH others who are united together as the Body of Christ. On a practical level we have relationship with a LOCAL fellowship of believers. We intersect with each other at the foot of the cross and it s at this point that worship is most beautifully expressed and fully enjoyed. Richard Foster writes To worship is to experience reality, to touch life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. That is why it s so important for the worship community to be vitally connected with the church body. That means sitting in church, listening to the Word of God, ministering to people after service not hanging out in the back room. Worship Is Spiritual The Bible says that we are to worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24). Paul affirms that we can t worship any other way 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NKJV) 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. On a practical level, this means that worship is more than a musical act. It does include musical expression, but it is first and foremost a spiritual act. Jesus gives us this principle in John 3 John 3:5 6 (NKJV)

15 5 Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. This is one area that I see pastor s waiver on because worship for them is a musical program. So they look to hire the best musician they can find and rate their effectiveness based on performance. They develop a program they have to staff and next thing you know you have to hire secular musicians to keep your program going and after a while it looses it s spirituality. Problems develop and they wonder why. Worship Is Trinitarian The trinity is one of the most fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. You cannot have Christian worship if it s not Trinitarian. Paul refers to the Trinity in 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Jesus refers to the Trinity in Matthew 28 Matthew 28:19 (NKJV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, There are three models for understanding the Trinity First the EGG Model The Yolk is the Father (because it s at the center of all things), The Egg White is the Spirit (because it s clear) and The Shell is Jesus (because it s tangible). Together it s referred to as an EGG. Second the WATER Model The Ice is Jesus (because it s tangible), The Liquid is Spirit (because water is a symbol of the Spirit), The Steam is The Father because you can t see God He s invisible. Third model is a MUSICAL CHORD A chord is made up of three distinct notes. The Tonic is the Father (because He s number one), The Third is the Son (because He s number two), The Fifth is the Spirit (because He s number three Father, Son then Holy Spirit always in that order). Each note has a distinct personality and exists individually and separately without loosing it s tonal quality. However all three come together to

16 form ONE CHORD = GOD. This is the closest I ve been able to come to understanding the Trinity. Why is it important to be Trinitarian? o Some churches want to focus on the Spirit and neglect the Father and the Son (Pentecostal) this leads to emotionalism o Some churches are scared of the Spirit and just want to focus on the Father and the Son (Traditional) this leads to deadness o Some churches only want to focus on Jesus and ignore the Father and the Spirit (Apostolic) this leads to heresy o The only way to be Biblical is to be Trinitarian Father, Son and Holy Spirit "The priests then withdrew from the Holy Place. All the priests who were there had consecrated themselves, regardless of their divisions. All the Levites who were musicians - Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives - stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God. 2 Chron 5:11-14 Worship Is Beyond Culture Worship reflects culture, but it s not bound by culture. The way we speak, the language we use, the melodies we sing, the rhythms we use all reflect the culture we live in. Not all forms of music are compatible with worship expression on a corporate level. Some forms of music are better used in evangelism. Some lyrical approaches are better used as personal and artistic forms of reflection or expression. Some melodies are best suited to display the talent of a well trained vocalist. The goal of the worship song isn t to follow every trend or style that emerges within a society, but to find the expression that best captures the sung prayer of the community. Let It Rise: A Manual For Worship, Holland Davis (Alachus, Florida: Bridge Logos, 2009), p. 14 Paul took a Gentile name to minister to the Gentiles Romans 11:13 (NKJV) 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, Paul understood the value of fitting the culture

17 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV) 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. The goal wasn t to be culturally relevant. The goal was to reach people for Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:2 3 (NKJV) 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. Worship Is Responsive To Revelation Isaiah saw the Lord Isaiah 6:1 3 (NKJV) 6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory! His threefold response is a response of worship o Isaiah 6:5 He confesses His sin I m a man of unclean lips o Isaiah 6:5 He identifies with broken humanity I m amongst a people with unclean lips o Isaiah 6:8 He expresses a willing to serve the Lord Here I am send me Worship Is Personal Jesus said to the Pharisees, if the people don t praise Him the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40), but if the rocks cry out, the people will miss out. No one can worship God for you. Every person must worship God for themselves. Each person must make a personal decision to be a worshipper of God. David made a conscious decision to worship the Lord Psalm 9:1 2 (NKJV) 1 I WILL praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I WILL tell of all Your marvelous works. 2 I WILL be glad and rejoice in You; I WILL sing praise to Your name, O Most High. David also made His expression of worship intimate

18 Psalm 116:1 2 (NKJV) 1 I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. The Prophets declared God s love for the people, The Patriarchs told the people they were to Love the Lord their God, but David was the first one to write I love you Lord. He made it personal. Worship Is Art Psalm 33:1 3 (NKJV) 1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!for praise from the upright is beautiful. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. The Psalmist speaks of the beauty of praise, the sound of praise, and the skillfulness of praise all speaking of an artistic expression. There was a time in history when the church was the cutting edge of artistic expression. Calvary Chapel was and continues to be a leader in artistic expression. What is called contemporary Christian worship began in the era of the Jesus Movement the early 1970s Jesus People sang choruses with guitar accompaniment. The choruses were often drawn from Scripture passages and rather than telling a story, expressing an aspiration or urging a certain kind of living, they expressed praise to God for his wonderful grace and greatness. The Jesus People s influence on worship spread out from California (where the movement began at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa) across the country. How To Be Evangelical Without Being Conservative, Roger E. Olson (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Today we continue to influence artistic expression in worship through mainstream artists like Jeremy Camp and Phil Wickham. How many of you have heard someone say, the Lord gave me a song that I d like to share and it s terrible. Maybe the Lord just gave it to you and no one else is supposed to hear it. There are two kinds of art good art and bad art. People love good art. People tolerate bad art. From a leadership perspective, remember that we represent God Colossians 3:23 (NKJV) 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

19 Martin Luther said.. Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. Worship Is Experiential The Bible is an experiential book. Isaiah saw the Lord. David sang, danced, lifted his hands, stood, kneeled, bowed down. Moses heard the voice of the Lord. Every sense is engaged in the worship of God. John Piper says Truth without emotion produces dead Orthodoxy and a church full (or half full) of artificial admirers (like people who write generic anniversary cards for a living). On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of Biblical worship. God gives a variety of gifts in the form of people who bring a variety of different experiences to worship 1 Corinthians 12:4 7 (NKJV) 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: But the purpose is not to give everyone a voice in the service the purpose is to edify 1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV) 26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. NOTE: This is a living document meaning a philosophy of worship is always changing, always developing, always adjusting based on my current understanding of God.